How do I set up an SSD strictly for Video/Photo editing?

amdgraphics · Feb 18, 2018

Hi!

As the title states, I want to install an SSD into a desktop for editing purposes (and file storage for those photos and videos, plus the software), but I don't know how to. Do I have to install Windows on the SSD so the programs will work, or does that matter? All help will be appreciated, so thank you!

Also, as long as the speed and size of the ram are the same, can I use two different brands of RAM? I want to expand from 8 gigs to 16 gigs, so I need to know if I need to buy 16 gigs of DDR3 (the PC I'm using is around 7 years old), or buy 8 gigs to add to the other 8 gigs.

Rogue Leader · Feb 18, 2018

You don't need to install Windows onto your SSD if you don't want to. You can use the SSD as a secondary disk to hold your video/photo projects for editing purposes (may people do this). Of course using an SSD as your boot drive for your software and Windows will load the software faster, except of course you'd lose a large bit of your space for your projects.

As for memory, its generally unlikely 2 different memory brands will work. Its possible but I wouldn't go spend money and risk it, unless your store ha a really good return policy. Your best bet is to try and buy an identical kit to the ram you have, or replace ALL the ram you have with what you need.

USAFRet · Feb 18, 2018

amdgraphics :

No, you don't install the OS on that secondary drive.
You just designate that drive as the storage space for your editing files.

What software are you using?

In my system:
SSD 1 = OS and all applications
SSD 2 = photo work. Images out of the camera save directly to this drive. Any photo editing application (Lightroom, etc) saves to that by default, in its own settings.
SSD 3 = Video/CAD work. Same as above
SSD 4 = doc/music/downloads/games
SSD 5 = scratch/cache space for the above applications.

amdgraphics · Feb 18, 2018

USAFRet :

amdgraphics :

No, you don't install the OS on that secondary drive.
You just designate that drive as the storage space for your editing files.

What software are you using?

In my system:
SSD 1 = OS and all applications
SSD 2 = photo work. Images out of the camera save directly to this drive. Any photo editing application (Lightroom, etc) saves to that by default, in its own settings.
SSD 3 = Video/CAD work. Same as above
SSD 4 = doc/music/downloads/games
SSD 5 = scratch/cache space for the above applications.

For photo editing, I will be using Cyberlink Photodirector 6 Ultra. For video editing, I will be using Cyberlink PowerDirector 13 Ultimate, and Hitfilm Express 2017.

amdgraphics · Feb 18, 2018

Rogue Leader :

Thanks for that information. Do you have any recommendations for what set of DDR3 16 gig sticks I should get? I would like the price to be under $100 if possible. I'm pretty sure my mobo (ASUS P8P67) only supports up to 2200 mhz, so I guess another question would be: can I use 2400 mhz RAM with that board?

USAFRet · Feb 18, 2018

amdgraphics :

I use Hitfilm Express.
The application lives on the C drive with the OS.

These settings: (K is the smaller SSD devoted to cache, and F is the drive dedicated to video/CAD files)

amdgraphics · Feb 18, 2018

USAFRet :

Got it. Thanks for the help! One more things: is this a good SSD and SATA cable?
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-NAND-250GB-SSD-WDS250G2B0A/dp/B073SB2MXW?th=1
https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Straight-Locking-Driver-Writer/dp/B01LXOSV92/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1519004184&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=sata+cable+ssd&psc=1#customerReviews

USAFRet · Feb 18, 2018

amdgraphics :

Yes, that is one of the top tier drives. Similar to Crucial MX500 or Samsung 850 EVO.

The cable? Yes, those would work.

USAFRet · Feb 18, 2018

What other drives do you have in this system?

amdgraphics · Feb 18, 2018

USAFRet :

We have a nearly full 1TB HDD (probably a WD; it's around 7 years old).

Rogue Leader · Feb 18, 2018

amdgraphics :

This is the closest you are gonna get to $100 for good memory

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231637&cm_re=2x8gb_ddr3-_-20-231-637-_-Product

Memory is expensive right now.

The closest you'll get in 2400mhz

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231671&cm_re=2x8gb_ddr3_2400mhz-_-20-231-671-_-Product

I would check the compatibility list for that motherboard before going that fast though.

USAFRet · Feb 18, 2018

amdgraphics :

You really need a whole storage refresh. That 7 year old HDD is living on borrowed time.

OS and applications on an SSD. Other SSD's for video files, etc.

amdgraphics · Feb 18, 2018

USAFRet :

Borrowed time in the sense that it is out of date, or borrowed time in the sense that it is going to die soon?

USAFRet · Feb 18, 2018

amdgraphics :

Both, but primarily the death aspect.
Soon is a nebulous concept, but for a 7 year old drive...sooner rather than later.

I would not put all of my eggs into that 7 year old basket.

amdgraphics · Feb 18, 2018

USAFRet :

The problem is, I don't want to spend the cash on a 1TB SSD; I simply don't want to pay for that. I think I will end up getting this HDD: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Cache-Desktop-Drive-WD10EZEX/dp/B0088PUEPK/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1519006729&sr=1-3&keywords=1tb+hdd

Also, what 16 GB DDR3 RAM set should I get? I currently have 8 gigs of this: https://www.amazon.com/G-SKILL-Ripjaws-240-Pin-Desktop-F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL/dp/B00339X1EM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1519006971&sr=8-5&keywords=ripjaws+ddr3
My mobo can only go up to 2200 mhz, so....

USAFRet · Feb 18, 2018

amdgraphics :

USAFRet :

The problem is, I don't want to spend the cash on a 1TB SSD; I simply don't want to pay for that. I think I will end up getting this HDD: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Cache-Desktop-Drive-WD10EZEX/dp/B0088PUEPK/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1519006729&sr=1-3&keywords=1tb+hdd

Also, what 16 GB DDR3 RAM set should I get? I currently have 8 gigs of this: https://www.amazon.com/G-SKILL-Ripjaws-240-Pin-Desktop-F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL/dp/B00339X1EM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1519006971&sr=8-5&keywords=ripjaws+ddr3
My mobo can only go up to 2200 mhz, so....

2 x 250GB SSD would work.

1 for the OS and applications.
1 for your working files.
Relegate the current HDD for other things.

amdgraphics · Feb 18, 2018

USAFRet :

amdgraphics :

2 x 250GB SSD would work.

1 for the OS and applications.
1 for your working files.
Relegate the current HDD for other things.

Well, I only have like 100 gigs left of the 1TB, so I think it would be best for me to by one HDD for the main system, and an SSD for my editing. I am upgrading my family's PC, so I'm not one solely using it.

USAFRet · Feb 18, 2018

amdgraphics :

Well..you know your needs and budget, so go for that drive you linked.
It will work just fine.

amdgraphics · Feb 18, 2018

USAFRet :

Alright. Thanks for the help!

Rogue Leader · Feb 18, 2018

amdgraphics :

Buy another one of the same memory then you will have 16gb. It most likely will work fine, as long as its the exact same model number.

amdgraphics · Feb 18, 2018

USAFRet :

I am looking at my mobo specs, and it doesn't have the SSD listed - is that bad? It also doesn't say it supports 16gb RAM.
http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1150/Z97-A/New_SSD_List.pdf?_ga=2.13601079.1844320705.1519001239-435908049.1517763476

http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1155/P8P67_LX/Intel-P67-4DIMM-Module-QVL.pdf?_ga=2.16763446.1844320705.1519001239-435908049.1517763476

Rogue Leader · Feb 18, 2018

Those are only the SSDs they tested, your board will work with any SSD.

Your motherboard has 4 memory slots and supports 32gb ram max

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P8P67/specifications/

Based on that it means it supports 8gb DIMMs, so 2 8GB DIMMs would be fine. Plus you already have 1 working 8gb DIMM in there.

amdgraphics · Feb 18, 2018

Rogue Leader :

Thank you so much!

How do I set up an SSD strictly for Video/Photo editing?

Reputable

It's a trap!

Titan

Reputable

Reputable

Titan

Reputable

Titan

Titan

Reputable

It's a trap!

Titan

Reputable

Titan

Reputable

Titan

Reputable

Titan

Reputable

It's a trap!

Reputable

It's a trap!

Reputable

Share this page